Keep going! Keep feeling those benefits, better breathing, spending money on other stuff
Biggest thing is to focus on how you feel and the accomplishment you feel. You mentioned wanting to be stronger and more confident to tell some other people. The point is you have to ignore what other people think and continue to rely on yourself. How you feel is the only thing that is important. People can either join that feeling or you can move on and see them when you want to.
Similar to seasickness, keep busy to stay ahead of it.
that's so sweet of you to say Thank you